Frosty mornings, twinkling lights and the smell of cinnamon in the air means Christmas is almost here. Whether you’re already in full festive spirit or holding out until the last possible moment to deck the halls with boughs of holly, it’s always good to have some reliable tipple to hand for the arrival of impromptu guests or just to savour on a cosy afternoon in front of a Christmas movie. The epitome of winter warmers, we’ve picked these wines because any would take a turkey sandwich to the next level or elevate a humble mince pie. So if you’re looking for a match for Christmas dinner or the perfect gift for a wine-lover, look no further than these yummy yuletide offerings.
Rippa Dorii Ribera del Duero Crianza 2020, £15.99
Like Rioja, this is produced solely from the Tempranillo grape, but the excellently named Rippa Dorii is the Latin form of ‘Ribera del Duero’, where this wine hails from. Thanks to the climate and more fertile limestone soils, Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero tends to be more robust and with riper, darker fruit flavours than Rioja wines, and this is no exception. Full of bramble fruit, vanilla, nutmeg and sweet spice aromas with hints of pastries and even toffee, this is rich and complex with blueberry and blackberry fruit, ripe tannins and a long finish. A perfect fireside wine.
L’Orangerie De Carignan 2020, £15.49
‘Saint-Émilion in everything but price,’ says the winemaker. He’s not wrong. L’Orangerie has graced the Taurus shelves for years – and I’m sure it will do for many more to come. Generous and satisfying, the hint of creamy vanilla oak keeps you coming back for more… and more. A sure winner for a classic Sunday roast dinner it certainly wouldn’t go amiss for a Christmas feast either.
Domaine Olivier Merlin Moulin-à-Vent ‘La Rochelle’ 2018, £34.99
Moulin-à-Vent is often described as the “King of Beaujolais”, made more akin to the wines of Burgundy, and the fruit for this wine is definitely given the royal treatment. From one of the top two sites in Moulin-à-Vent, “La Rochelle” is made by Olivier Merlin who is great chums with Dominic Lafon, a rockstar of Burgundy. Dominic helped Olivier source some particularly special old oak barrels that add a peppery, cocoa powder element to the wine. This is elegant and velvety with a beautiful deep bluish colour and flavours of chocolate and cherries. The beauty of Beaujolais is its versatility, light enough for chicken or turkey it also pairs wonderfully with duck breast or beef.
Taurus Wines are located at Whipley Manor Farm, Bramley, Surrey, GU5 0LL.
Tel: 01483 548484 www.tauruswines.co.uk
Rupert Pritchett gives regular wine recommendations in Premier Magazine. You can browse some of them in our Food & Wine articles HERE.
